Christmas Gift Boxes at Target

I was just at Target and they had the cutest Christmas gift boxes in the dollar section.  You could decorate an entire room- just by stacking these cute boxes around---- or hang them on a tree!  You could even glam them up a bit with glitter, scrapbook embellishments, and adorable bows.

My favorites were the Victorian gingerbread house boxes.  Wouldn't it be fun fill it with a family of gingerbread people for the lucky people on your gift list?  You could even use glossy white puff paint to decorate the boxes- just like frosting!  Or use the box as a decoration by putting a fake candle inside so that you could watch it flicker through the tiny windows....  Too cute!

Sorry about the sorry picture-- I've been a bit harried lately.  Today when I tried to call my husband about our lunch date I dialed my zip code by mistake.... ah, well.  I'll be feeling better soon. 

I relaxed last night by reading a good a historical Christian romance (stayed up WAYYYYY past my bedtime)  --now I need a nap!

Apples and Caramel

Today's snack was caramel and crispy, crunchy apples.  Just make your favorite caramel candy and only cook it to the soft ball stage.  Then it will be softer- like a thick sauce.  My daughter and I used Betty Crocker's recipe with condensed milk.  Easy and Sweet.

Best Fabric Flower Tutorials

I'm sure you've noticed the 3000 fabric flower tutorials out there.  I thought I'd share links to a few of my favorites- in a variety of styles.

Made by Lex has a bunch of fashion makeovers to check out- I'm a big fan of her flowers too!

100 Layer Cake has wedding ideas and some pretty flowers too.

Scrap a little has a tutorial for tiny flowers that can be used for babies or to embellish gifts, cards, etc.  You can make just the center rose or add the bow back piece.

Maize Hutton loves the frayed look- and I like it too!

Oh, I really like this variation on the melted edge flower over at Simply Vintage Girl Blog!

Create and Delegate has some cute rolled roses.

Wow- just came across another blog round up over at Little Birdie Secrets- you might want to

check out some of her favorites.

More Ribbon Roses

I needed a rose for a friend's gift and went to town.  The two pink ones are just made by cutting circles that are NOT symmetrical- random sizes- getting smaller and smaller.  I used about six circles in the large flower and four in the smaller one.  Cut your petals from a polyester fabric and then hold the edges over the flame of a candle to melt the edges.  Stack them up and stitch them down the middle.  A few of the circles were too big.  On those I just ran a little running stitch around the center of the flower- pulled it tight and the circle was smaller and much more "ruffly".

 The brown one made from fray resistant chiffon I used this pattern from Snazzie Drawers.  Her flowers and headbands are so amazing- I'm a bit embarrassed to send you over there.  You'll see how far I fall short... but go ahead, have a look.  So pretty.  I love how she incorporates netting and feathers.  There are several similar free patterns on the web.  I wish I would have made more petals from the dark brown and mixed it up a bit more.... but it's okay

The wire ribbon flower I made the same way I made these here.  I'm thinking these might be nice teacher Christmas present for little guys stylin' first grade teacher.

The flower centers are either buttons, old earrings, a single bead, or a cluster of beads wired together.

Texas Sized Yard Sale

Last Friday was the Texas sized yard sale.  This is a sale that benefits Meals on Wheels.  They gather stuff all year long!  They fill a building that is about half the size of WalMart and the prices are rock bottom!  People come from Oklahoma to shop.  If you want the best deals you get in line at least two hours early (that is where I was- yup, I'm a fanatic).

Sweet hubby took the morning off of work (his job was to load & haul everything).  Son-in-law kindly let us use his truck and we filled it up.

Here are a few of the before pictures -because of course I'll be wanting to mess with the stuff :o) -

Everything below cost $20.

a solid wood sewing table

a rocking recliner to rock the grand baby in

another sewing table with an older- but still working- Kenmore machine inside

A high chair for baby to sit in at Grandma's house

vintage baubles to craft with (cost .30- $2.00)

.....and my favorite thing- a Bernina serger for $50

Wish you'd been here.... here, but not in front of me in line- hah!

Halloween Crafts Flashback

I thought I'd share a few of the Halloween crafts from the past:

Free printable labels are available in the freebie section on the right.  Directions for the tree below can be found by searching this blog with the words "Halloween tree".

The charm decorations for this tree were made with some vintage printables soldered between

two pieces of glass.  More details can be found in my label section under "jewelry".

I'm so glad I have room to store some of these things so I don't have to start all the decorations from scratch each year- that would take forever!

Scattering Sunshine

In the church I belong to there is a large women's organization called the Relief Society.  There are about six million member throughout the world.  Our motto is "Charity Never Faileth".  One of the women in our group is asked to be the "Compassionate Service Leader".  Her job is to find out the needs of members of the church (and others) and to organize service to help them.  I got a call  yesterday asking me to take in a dinner for five to woman who recently had a hysterectomy.  No problem.  Not only is it a joy to be able to help someone else- I know that the wonderful women in this group are there to help me when I need it!  Gotta love that!

For their dessert I made my husband's favorite (and mine) apple crisp.  This recipe can be found in the Mormon Family Cookbook published in 1982.  Hubby's aunt co-authored the book.  I've made a few minor adaptations.

Best Ever Apple Crisp

Apples, peeled and sliced (1 quart- I like more)
2 T.  lemon juice
1 c. butter
1 1/2 c.  white flour
2 t. cinnamon
2/3 c. white flour
1 c. brown sugar
pinch of salt
1/2 t. nutmeg (optional)

Preheat oven to 400.  Pile apples in a 9x13 cake pan- gently press down.  If apples are sweet sprinkle with lemon juice- I like to use a variety of types of apples for an extra rich flavor.  Using a pastry cutter mix together the remaining ingredients until they are well blended and crumbly.  Bake until the apples are tender and the topping brown and crisp about 30-40 min.  Serve warm- may add ice cream or whipped cream for extra calories--- I mean, extra yumminess!

Scratch and sniff your computer screen- can you smell this- so awesome!!!

Japanese Craft Book and Sept. 2010 Cotton Time Magazine

I think the craft books I purchased in Oregon are both in Japanese- but since I don't read any Asian language I can only suppose.  They do have some inspirational photos and most of the patterns are full sized with step by step pictures.

The first book has the English subtitle "My Quilt Days" under the heading.  It is a book that uses quilting and embroidery in purse making. 

The new Cotton Time Magazine had several good ideas. 

I liked the yo-yo lamp and the felt bear (notice the ripples in the tub water- so cute!). 

The fabric to make the small pink purse was included with the magazine...



I may never actually create one of these projects but I enjoy looking at them and thinking about the possibilities.  That is one reason why I enjoy the blogs in blog land.  I am just amazed at the creative projects that women come up with!   

Home again, Home again, jiggity jig...

Well, I'm home.  I spent about a week near Portland, OR and about five days in and around the Phoenix, AZ area.  I went to the Red, white and blue thrift store and found a cute blouse and a great frame.  They have some very upscale clothes.  It does take time to dig- the clothes are sorted by color but not by size.

I spent some time at Sunset Beach.  The water on this beach isn't safe to swim in- no problem for me.

I'm a sit and listen to the waves kind of gal.  I did take a long walk along the edge of the ocean and while a way a few hours reading a fun book.

I also explored the KinoKuniya Asian bookstore- LOVED it.  So many fascinating things to look at and to imagine trying.  I did come home with two craft books and some great tape-

Best of all I was able to spend time with my wonderful family- gotta love that!

On the Homefront- update

A little update on the chicken adventure.  The kids are thrilled with their "business".  They have 14 chickens and collect about 10 eggs a day.  They sell the eggs to our neighbors.  With the salmonella egg recalls and the generosity of sweet neighbors they have more customers then eggs at this point!  

The chickens roam free during the day and are fed in the evenings.  I may be prejudiced but I think the eggs taste extra good.